Product Description
Byang Kato grew up in Nigeria in a family devoted to juju, a religion of magic and superstition. Although from a young age he planned to become a juju priest, his encounter with missionaries and the gospel changed that. In this book, Simonetta Carr tells how the young, eager Byang devoted himself to learning about Jesus and sharing Him with others. Read about how God used him to pastor churches, train people in Bible schools, and encourage people far and wide with his writings. Through Byang Kato’s leadership, many people in Africa and on other continents have learned to find their true identity in Christ.
Hardcover, 64 pages
Publication Date: July 2022
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter 1—Entering the Boat of Salvation
- Chapter 2—More Than a Shirt
- Chapter 3—Student and Leader
- Chapter 4—For the African Church
- Chapter 5—Leaving a Strong Message
- Time Line
- Did You Know?
- Words from Kato
Endorsements
“Simonetta Carr has done a fantastic job here. She tells the story of Dr. Byang Kato, the father of the evangelical movement in Africa. Even though written for children, the book is a gem and a resource for those interested in African Christian thinkers of ages past. May we learn to tell our stories in ways even children can understand. I recommend this book without reservation.” — David Tarus, executive director, Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (a project of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa [AEA], the organization Byang Kato served as its first African general secretary)
“Byang Kato is one of my spiritual heroes! He served the Lord at a critical time when most African countries were gaining independence from colonial governments. Kato provided much-needed gospel clarity to ensure that, in appreciating their African culture, the church did not slide into syncretism and apostatize. The impact of his message continues, almost a half century after his tragic death. I rejoice that he is being introduced to our children through Simonetta Carr’s new biography about him!” — Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church and founding chancellor of the African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia
Author
Simonetta Carr was born in Italy and has lived and worked in different cultures. A former elementary school teacher, she homeschooled her eight children for many years. She has written for newspapers and magazines around the world and has translated the works of several Christian authors into Italian. Presently, she lives in San Diego with her husband, Thomas, and family. She is a member and Sunday school teacher at Christ United Reformed Church, Santee, California.
Illustrator
Matt Abraxas has traveled from California to France, studying different approaches to art. He enjoys creating and teaching art and currently exhibits his work at the SmithKlein Gallery in Boulder, Colorado. Matt lives with his wife, Rebecca, and two sons, Zorba and Rainer, in Lafayette, Colorado.
